SUPERNEWS Nigeria has announced the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Insurance Plc, Dr. Jeff Duru, as Chairman of its annual conference and 10th Anniversary celebration scheduled for July 7, 2026.
The media organisation also named the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Exchange Plc, Mrs. Idu Okeahialam, as the keynote speaker for the conference, which is now in its fourth edition.
The event, themed “Local Content & Digitisation: Building Synergy Between Oil & Gas and Insurance Sectors for Inclusive Growth,” will take place at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The conference is expected to bring together regulators, industry operators, chief executives, policymakers, civil society organisations, media practitioners, students, and other key stakeholders.
The Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, has confirmed his participation as the Special Guest of Honour.
Also expected at the event is the President of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mrs. Ekeoma Ezeibe.
Other notable speakers include the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Insurance, Mr. Akinjide Orimolade; the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guinea Insurance Plc, Mr. Ademola Abidogun; the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Deepshores Energy Limited, Mrs. Nneka Obi; and Professor Olajide Fadun of the Department of Insurance and Actuarial Science, University of Lagos.
Speaking on the choice of the conference theme, the Publisher of SUPERNEWS Nigeria and convener of the event, Ngozi Onyeakusi, said the programme aims to provide practical insights into how technology-driven solutions can strengthen collaboration between the oil and gas and insurance sectors.
According to her, the conference will address challenges associated with the implementation of Sections 49 and 50 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act.
She explained that the provisions require operators involved in oil and gas activities to insure all business-related risks through insurance companies and brokers registered in Nigeria.
The Act further stipulates that operators seeking to place insurable risks offshore must first obtain written approval from the National Insurance Commission. Before granting such approval, NAICOM must determine that local insurance capacity has been fully exhausted.
To improve compliance and implementation of the law, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and NAICOM introduced operational guidelines in 2022 aimed at addressing gaps identified in the enforcement of the local content provisions.
Despite these efforts, Onyeakusi noted that insurance companies have historically faced challenges, including inadequate capitalisation and limited capacity to underwrite large risks.
She, however, expressed optimism that the Nigeria Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025 and the ongoing recapitalisation exercise would strengthen the sector and position Nigerian insurers for global competitiveness.
According to her, the conference will serve as a platform for stakeholders to examine how digitisation, policy reforms, and effective implementation of local content guidelines can drive inclusive growth and foster stronger partnerships between the oil and gas and insurance industries.
The event will also commemorate a decade of SUPERNEWS Nigeria’s contribution to business and financial journalism while providing a forum for discussions on industry transformation, innovation, and sustainable economic development.
